Poulet - Amazing French Roast Chicken @ Vivocity

A gathering with good old friends turned out to be a night of delicious and affordable french cuisine.

Poulet is located "secretly" at the far right end of Vivocity Shopping Mall and they claimed to be the "First French Casual Dining Restaurant Chain Concept in Singapore". Not very sure about this, well maybe it's true. 

A queue is unavoidable on a Friday evening. However, it was moving surprisingly fast. While waiting to be seated, we were given the menu to order in advance. Poulet does not serve plenty of fanciful and complicated dishes but just some simple and unforgettable french cuisine.

Food was served right after we were given a table. The Countryside Mushroom Soup was so rich and creamy that it's a 5 thumbs up! The only regret is, it is not served hot. Remember to request the kitchen to warm it up. 

Countryside Mushroom Soup

Salad de Paris - Finely chopped Garden Salad, Dried Cranberry, Tomato, Avocado, Black Olive and Roasted Pine Nut served with French Dressing. This is yummy. The finely chopped vegetables make it so easy to eat.

Salad de Paris

Escargot de Bourgogne - Half dozen Burgundy Snails served with Tomato Fondue and Almond Garlic Butter. This is my first experience eating escargot. Frankly speaking, I have not tried others so comparison is not available. However, as a first timer, the snails are very chewy and it will be even better if the garlic taste was stronger. 

Escargot de Bourgogne

Saute Wild Mushroom - Various kinds of mushroom saute and served with nicely done poached egg. This is a heavenly combination. I am speechless.

Saute Wild Mushroom

Poulet Roti Cranberry - The signature dish. A MUST TRY if you are dining in Poulet. The chicken is skilfully roasted and the meat is tender and juicy. The best thing is, the chicken comes apart with a few easy cut. I cannot help but started licking my fingers of leftover juice. We also tried the original Poulet Roti. It is more creamy, just like the mushroom soup. So if you are a creamy person, go for the original.

Poulet Roti Cranberry

Tiramisu - Mascarpone Cheese, Sponge Finger soaked in Espresso and Rum Syrup. This is a special request by my friend. She just cannot leave the restaurant without trying their Tiramisu and this was a good order.

Tiramisu

We had a really satisfied meal in Poulet. Just in case you wanna try it out yourself, they do have a few branches in Singapore.

For more information and reservation, please visit Poulet - Amazing French Roast Chicken.

Astons Steak & Salad @ Centrepoint Mall

Salad bar lovers, do you miss Ponderosa steakhouse and salad buffet bar style of dining? 

Have you started searching frantically for steakhouse with salad buffet bar after Sizzler decided to call it quits in Singapore?

Well, worry no more. Astons is here to "save" us. 

Astons Steak & Salad is located in Centrepoint Mall. As they do not take reservation, we arrived early to beat the unpredictable crowd of hungry diners. The restaurant is not specifically big but it can easily accommodates quite a big crowd. 

Astons Steak & Salad

The menu is simple and sweet, mainly focus on steak (of course!!). Food lovers who have tried Astons steak will know their quality (subjected to individual preference) so I am not going to elaborate. Done with our orders, it is time to conquer the salad bar. 

If you do remember Ponderosa, the concept is almost similar. Various types of soup and finger food are spread across one of the long L-shape table while the other side served assorted salads and greens, fruits and even ice-cream.

To name a few on their Supreme Salad Buffet.

SOUP
a) Creamy Broccoli Soup
b) Onion Soup
c) Creamy Corn Soup (I love this!)

FINGER FOOD
a) Garlic Bread
b) Corn Muffin (simply love it)
c) Potato Wedges
d) Onion Rings (you cannot miss this)
e) Mashed Potato with Mushroom sauce

STARTER
a) Saute Button Mushroom
b) Saute Onion
c) Pasta
d) Sauerkraut

SALAD
a) Coleslaw
b) Pasta Salad
c) Potato Salad
d) Assorted Greens with various dressings

DESSERT & DRINKS
a) Free flow of beverages (Pepsi, Pepsi Light, 7-UP, Ice Lemon Tea, Coffee & Tea)
b) Assorted Fruits
c) Vanilla Ice Cream with toppings

Salad bar - Soup and finger food

Salad bar - Assorted salad and greens 

Creamy Broccoli Soup

Onion Soup

Creamy Corn Soup & Assorted greens

FInger food  

Mashed Potato, Coleslaw & Pasta Salad

CAUTION : Do not gobble down too much from the buffet table unless you are really a big eater. Or else it will be "painful" when your main course is served.

Fried Fish Dinner 

Savoury Fried Chicken 

Grilled Chicken Dinner 

Pork Chops

The grilled chicken and pork chops were fabulous. They were nicely grilled and the meat tastes juicy and tender. Not so fantastic for the fried though (based on individual preference).

In conclusion, it is still value for money. The next time you are planning for a friends' gathering, family reunion, etc. check them out.

For more information, please visit Astons Steak & Salad.  

Seafood Paradise – Defu Lane

Have been thinking like crazy on where to have our 人日 dinner, particularly a seafood feast. Famous restaurants start popping into my mind – Jumbo, Little Red House, Long Beach, Seafood Paradise and many more.

After “shortlisting” the restaurants, without hesitation, we all voted for Seafood Paradise. Next question, which outlet? Hmm…….. let’s try the Defu Lane outlet. We made a reservation. They were very innovative by sending me a SMS to confirm my reservation on the exact day.

It’s our first time visiting the Defu Lane outlet. We did not order the Chinese New Year set menu instead we go for the a-la-carte menu. We had a fantastic 8 course meal.

1) 发财鱼生 is a must for Chinese New Year

2) 虾枣 Prawn roll

3) 醉虾 Drunken Prawn

4) 蒜茸炒奶白菜 Stir Fry Nai Bai with Garlic

5) 煎炸酱油金目卢 Fried Live Sea Bass with Soy Sauce

6) 蜜椒排骨王 Honey and Pepper Pork Ribs

7) 辣椒螃蟹和炸馒头  Chili Crab with Deep Fried Bun 

8)  炒面线 Fried Mee Sua

It’s been a long time since we last had a seafood feast and Seafood Paradise did not disappoint us with their excellent taste and service even though it is during a peak season period with a full house restaurant.  On top of the good food, their prices for prawns, fish and crabs are fairly reasonable. They maintained the normal rate although it is during the Chinese New Year holidays.

We highly recommend you to dine with Seafood Paradise whenever you have craving for a seafood feast.

Address:

Seafood Paradise – Defu Lane

91 Defu Lane 10
Singapore 539221

Tel : 6487 2429

For more information, please visit Seafood Paradise Group.

Chili Padi Nonya Buffet @ Heng Mui Keng Terrace

We are going to try this buffet as my mum has been craving for nonya food and dessert for so long.

The Chili Padi Nonya buffet restaurant has 2 outlets, 1 in Bugis and the other one in Heng Mui Keng Terrace. We went to Heng Mui Keng branch for our 1st visit. The location is kinda tricky if you don't know the way (however, it really depends on which route you take). For us, we managed to find the parking area but took some time on locating the restaurant. After a few phone calls, we are finally here.

The restaurant design was cosy and very peranakan. We like it at first sight. Ohh..... it is big enough to cater big group.

Chilli Padi Peranakan Restaurant

Peranakan tables

The buffet spread was not a lot but enough to fulfill our nonya food crave. There are varieties of dishes and desserts ranging from Nonya laksa, gado gado, kong ba bao (扣肉包), chwee kueh (水粿), steamed pumpkin cakes, chee cheong fan (猪肠粉), pig's intestine soup (猪肚汤) and many more. 

Nonya Laksa

Gado gado

扣肉包

水粿, steamed pumpkin cakes, 猪肠粉

猪肚汤 

Many more

As for the desserts, frankly speaking, I am not familiar with the name. So I can only show you the photo I took and you tell me their names. Ohh........ I know one of them - 九层糕.

Assorted desserts

Overall rating, this is a nice and lovely place to enjoy a cheap and delicious nonya dinner buffet.


Address:
Padi Nonya Cafe
29 Heng Mui Keng Terrace
#06-21 (Ground Level)
Singapore 119620

Tel : 6872 2982

For more information, please visit Chilli Padi Peranakan Restaurant.

Macau & Hong Kong 2012 - Day 1

23rd & 24th October 2012

This is our 4^th trip to Macau and this time, we decided to try the red-eye flight from Singapore to Hong Kong. Our CX flight departs Singapore at 0115 and arrives Hong Kong at 0510.

As we arrived very early in Hong Kong and the HKIA–Macau Ferry Service only operates from 1015, we decided to take a bus to town, have breakfast and then take the ferry to Macau.

As advised by a HK friend, we took Bus E11 to the Macau Ferry Terminal. The ride costs HKD21.00 per person and took about an hour.

Bus E11 route map

After a simple breakfast and an hour’s ferry ride, here we are in Macau! A tiny bit of luxury spent in accommodation for this trip, we are staying at Sheraton Macao. We managed to grab their grand opening deal at HKD888.00 per night. 

Sheraton Macao is located on the Taipa Island and we were there just one month after their official opening.

Sheraton Macao

Sheraton Macao

Sheraton Macao

As it is not time for check-in, we headed for lunch and some local snacks shopping in 官也街. One must-try shop in that area is 大利来记猪扒包 which is located just around the corner.

Map of 大利来记猪扒包

大利来记猪扒包

  

大利来记猪扒包 was shown in a Taiwanese TV Program called 食尚玩家 and we chance upon it during one of our previous trips to Macau. When we arrived, we were shocked to find the surrounding empty as it used to be packed with customers. After checking with the staff, we found out that the Macau Government has stopped them from placing tables and chairs outside the shop. Customers can only take-away now. As their 猪扒面 and 猪扒包 are really very delicious, we decided to buy and eat outside the shop even though there is no proper place to sit. For a closer look at the 猪扒面 and 猪扒包, click here.

After eating, it's shopping time at 官也街. My mum especially likes the ginger candy here so this shop is a must-visit. 

You will definitely see this trishaw.

Fantastic wall painting

Entrance to 官也街 

Cafe signage

Delicious ginger candy

Escaping the glaring sun, we went back to the hotel to check-in and freshen up. Due to the overnight flight, eyelids are no longer 'obeying' so napping is the best thing to do before continuing to explore Macau.

After a short power nap, we regained our energy and off we go, hunting for the next destination for good food. But first, a walk to City of Dreams for free bus shuttle to Hotel Sintra where a short walk takes you to Senado Square.

City of Dreams - Crown Hotel

City of Dreams - Hard Rock Hotel

City of Dreams - Hard Rock Hotel

Limousine 

Dinner is at 黄枝记粥面家 located in Senado Square. They serve good fried wanton that cannot be missed.

Wanton Soup 

Congee 

Fried beef noodles 

Fried kway tiao 

Fried wanton

After dinner, stroll along Senado Square before knocking out for the day.